5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Was just curious how others experiences with Toyota went regarding TSB issues. I am bringing it in for the 3-4 shift flare tranny issue and the engine ticking loudly tsb for vvti. I was briefed on the issue that it will cost me $120 for each of these if they do not find anything wrong. I brought up the fact my VIN is showing it is affected under the TSB and I have somewhat noticed these issues when driving the car. I than have to pay for a rental vehicle ($35/day not bad). Any tips would be great on how to handle these issues. All this work would be performed under warranty if it ended up needing service/replacement.
Bump. Anyone? If this helps, my camry was sold in Nov of 06. So the warranty runs out in November. It being an earlier production model I truely believe these are issues I want them to investigate and repair if they will under warranty.
I'm surprised the service writer didn't listen to it and tell you one way or the other that it fit the TSB. Especially if you're having it serviced for something else. I would think that's just a part of "customer service" but I guess the economy is still in the tanks and Christmas is right around the corner ($$).
But ask firmly and nicely with the writer or maybe have a word with the service manager. A competent writer should be aware of the TSBs and the symptoms.
I own an 07 camry V6 and it was one of the first builds from late 06. I have just about every TSB issue they have put out for these camrys, and I have had about 90% of them done. (I still need to do the one for the dash rattle) Problem is my car is out of Warranty so all this comes out of pocket for me. Because of this, I recommend you look up the list of TSB's for your Camry and just get them all done before your warranty runs out. Otherwise, things as simple as applying 5 pieces of felt to stop the dash rattle, will end up costing you $800 according to the dealer.
As far as your flares go, I paid $120 and had my transmission computer reflashed, it has been a week and so far no flares. Hopefully this simple TSB will work for you as well, other wise their next step is to do a transmission flush, then if that doesn't work, replace the trans axle. ugh.
I have been told by numerous service depts. that the ticking sound of the V6 is normal, but if yours is pretty loud it may be something else like the TSB you mentioned, so definitely have them check it out.
I have about 45k on it. I really do not think any of the TSB ordeals are serious, but I want to get them done so down the road I do not bite the bullet. Also, I am a bit confused as to why they would charge me for a TSB when it is a known issue, just does not affect a certain amount of vehicles to be a recall. Just a bunch of bs in my opinion.
...I am a bit confused as to why they would charge me for a TSB when it is a known issue, just does not affect a certain amount of vehicles to be a recall. Just a bunch of bs in my opinion.
Couldn't agree with you more buddy. They screw up, admit it with a TSB, then want to charge you for it...
Did you have this experience? I see you have an 07 with the same intake as me... I also do not want to touch that thing. Mixed reviews regarding that affecting warranty.
I bought mine salvaged and rebuilt it, no warranty for me my friend. That's why I said all of this stuff has been out of pocket for me...really expensive.
So. I wanted to share my experience with Toyota regarding this issue. I conversed with the service advisor at the Toyota dealership by my house. I finally got him to agree to not charge me for a rental and what not. I bring it in and pick it up the next day. Well the issue has gotten worse quite frankly. Now I have a hard shift in almost all gears and a mini shift flare in 2-3 and the same in 3-4. Now they want to charge me (for a rental) to bring it back in and it might take a couple days, etc. I went straight to the top (GM). I sent him a nice email CC'ing the service advisor I was dealing with. I stumbled upon this wonderful bit of information regarding this. Interesting as to how many trannys are failing around 70k that have not gotten this issue fixed. The fix appears to go so far in depth (replacing the tranny, etc.). Anyone who has gotten this done/fixed please chime in here. I have them by the balls and they know it. They do not appear to know much about this issue or are acting like they do not.
Wanted to update everyone on this. After two emails to the general manager of the store and CC'in the guy I was dealing with I got a response to bring my vehicle in and they will provide me with a rental free of charge. They will have one of there more experienced techs look at my car the following day and call me with there findings.
Toyota MDT here. TSBs are tools to help repair common problems, not intended to be your "I'm fixin to run out of warranty" service. If you read one there is a disclaimer that reads: based on a specific customer complaint covered 3/36 or 5/60 etc..
In some cases maybe certain production runs have a bad part or make a certain noise and so on. In others a customer could be wrong(maybe thinks its x he saw in a bulletin and it's actually y.
Toyota has people that check these parts, research the vin and so forth. If a dealership does a bulletin and it doesn't apply or fix the problem the dealership is not paid for the parts or labor. So if they reflashed a computer rather than diagnose a bad transmission, they don't get paid. It's not as simple as they're all bad fix them all. Also an RO close to warranty expiration with multiple TSBs will most likely be audited. That's what you have to understand from our side of the counter.
A customer has every right to have a warrantable item repaired, whether theres a TSB or not. I've also found diagnosing by TSB can lead to a lot of misdiagnosis, like your trans issue. Times are hard, but warranty money is better than no money, so it's not beneficial to refuse to do or duck warranty jobs.
I'm not sure why they were going to charge you diag for two warranty issues. As for the rental, Toyota has guidelines based on the length of the repair as to whether warranty pays for it or not. Until they find something major they have to eat the rental either as a courtesy to you or to make up for poor performance. Understand that each dealer is independantly owned so I ask that you not lump us all together.
The correct way to handle this would've been for the dealer you contacted to have told you upfront about the pitfalls of customers requesting TSBs be done and simply said we'll check your complaints under warranty and if the TSBs apply we'll let you know and arrange rental for you at that time.
Last edited by Ted Striker; 11-28-2011 at 08:52 PM.
In the early vvt years the vvt problems were mostly due to sludge, varnish, and carbon buildup from poor oil maintenance. Noticing a trend starting in 07-08 with vvt related Tsb's that tinker with the programming. vvt relies heavily on oil pressure. Wondering when Toyota started calling for 0w oils to meet mpg standards, and if simply going back to a 5w will resolve ticking and oil consumption issues for most people. As the oil shears down, maybe its just too thin for the vvt to function correctly on the 07-10 years.
Maybe some can share what weight is called in those years, see if there is any merit to this. For example, anyone switching from a 0w-20 to a 5w-30?. May lose a couple mpg's but get a quieter engine in trade.
Last edited by leakyseals; 11-29-2011 at 07:24 AM.
In the early vvt years the vvt problems were mostly due to sludge, varnish, and carbon buildup from poor oil maintenance. Noticing a trend starting in 07-08 with vvt related Tsb's that tinker with the programming. vvt relies heavily on oil pressure. Wondering when Toyota started calling for 0w oils to meet mpg standards, and if simply going back to a 5w will resolve ticking and oil consumption issues for most people. As the oil shears down, maybe its just too thin for the vvt to function correctly on the 07-10 years.
Maybe some can share what weight is called in those years, see if there is any merit to this. For example, anyone switching from a 0w-20 to a 5w-30?. May lose a couple mpg's but get a quieter engine in trade.
There are no tsbs about programming issues for vvti. The noise issues predate the switch to 0w20. A oil cap that says 0w20 or 5w20 came from the factory and is required to have 5w20. The noise is due to a faulty cam gear and only rattles on start up a few seconds. 0w20 was started in the v6s in the 10my.
0w20 stays thinner cold which would help rather than hinder vvti. The oil is more viscous building pressure and lubricating faster than a thicker oil at low temperature.
There are no tsbs about programming issues for vvti. The noise issues predate the switch to 0w20. A oil cap that says 0w20 or 5w20 came from the factory and is required to have 5w20. The noise is due to a faulty cam gear and only rattles on start up a few seconds. 0w20 was started in the v6s in the 10my.
0w20 stays thinner cold which would help rather than hinder vvti. The oil is more viscous building pressure and lubricating faster than a thicker oil at low temperature.
I agree with you in principle but have done substantial research on vvti which suggests thin oils are not cutting it for oil pressure. IMO the cam gears may or may not be faulty. The technology is older, based on higher weight oils. Whats on the cap you mention is a result of enforced mpg standards, not what the car was designed for IMO.
Here is some of the research, let me know what you think. (not same car, but same vvti design)
I know from expirience that once the cam gear has been replaced the noise goes away. Ive seen the same cars that had it done with low mileage that are hitting 100 k that haven't had repeat issues. There may be something to the oil, but I haven't really seen it in the field. I do think Toyota should extend the warranty on those, it's a bear of a job to do and the sprockets are pretty expensive.
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